The ancient city of Cyrene, known as Shehat today, lies in the ‘Jebel Akhdar’ or Green Mountain region and includes one of the largest expanses of Greek and Roman ruins in North Africa. It was the oldest and most important of the five Greek cities in the region. One of Shehat’s significant structures is the Sanctuary of Apollo constructed as early as the 7th century BC. The city was nominated to The UNESCO World Heritage list in 1982, the site shares ancient history through its temples and monuments. The Tomb of Battus (pictured) served as the final resting place of Battus I of Cyrene, the founder of the Greek city and the colony of Cyrenaica.
The Ancient City of Cyrene
